Method of and apparatus for producing coke



April '25, 1933. F. PUENING 1,905,055

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING COKE.

Filed April 7, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet l v IN vEzvTozg. fioxrzpuergmy.

Y W WATTO%E April 25, 1933. F. PUENING METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING COKE Filed Ap ril 7, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 f' INVENTOJg. fianzQ/ew/fly BY y ATTORZEYZ Api'i] 25, 1933. F PUENlNG 1,905,055

I METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING COKE Filed April 7, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Franz File/M29:

Patented Apr. 25, 1933 FFICE rnANz PUENING, or OHABA TOWNSHIP, ALLEGHENY scum, Pmsnvmu METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR' PRODUCING 'COKIB Application filed April 7,

My invention relates to apparatus for producing coke and particularly to coking apparatus that is adapted for use in the lowtemperature distillation of coal, shale and other carbonaceousmaterials.

The coking apparatus of the present invention is similar in certain respects to the apparatus constituting the subject-matter of my copending application Serial No. 211,- 887, filed August 10, 1927 (Case No. 68).

An objectof my invention is to provide coking apparatus employing hot gases for heating a heat-storage member and in which the heating gases are eflectually sealed from the gases'of distillation.

A further object of my invention is to provide coking apparatus in which coal in its plastic state is revented from adhering to surfaces other tlan those of thesource of carbonizing heat. V

A further object of my invention is to provide coking apparatus in which improved means, such as a porous layer of material, are employed for facilitating the passage and collection of the gases of distillation.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an eflicient and durable means for elevating fine coke or coke breeze that is employed in connection with the coking operation.. I

In the operation of coking apparatus of the continuous type, in which heat-storage members pass successively through a heating chamber and a coking chamber, considerable .difliculty has been experienced in maintaining the separation of the gases of combustion ordinarily employed :for heating the apparatus and ,the gases of distilla- If the waste gases are permitted to mix with V tion of coal or other material being treated.

If the gases of distillation are permitted to mingle with. the waste gases, valuable products of the coking operationv are lost.

the

(gases of distillation, the latter are dilute therewith.

In accordance with the I provide low-temperature distillation appa= ratus comprising a hollow cylindrical member that Is mounted for rotation about its the place where the rotating member and undesirable products are combined present invention,

1988. Serial No. 268,204.

horizontal axis. The outer surface of the is employed tov carbonize coal or other material to be treated that has been laced in the narrow grooves between the-ri s. much as the hollow member is constantly rotating and its surface is successively employed for the operations of storing. and giving ofi heat, it is essential that the heating zone be separated from the distillation zone in order to separate the respective gases therein. y

' It has been particularly diflicult to seal the two zones or chambers against each other at passes from the coking chamber back into the-heating chamber, because it is at this lace that the coke must be removed.- The co e-remov- 'ing means obstruct an mechanical means that may be employed or sealing the cham- .the sealing means would have to extend into- Inasbers against each other at this point. The

the cracks opened up by the shrinkage of the coke.

The coke may have shrunk so much that it falls out of the spaces in which it was contained before it approaches the coke-removing devices so that it is necessa to seal against a series of cokin only partly filled with 00%: cult. The sealing at this difiicult point is a supply of fine coke or fine breeze, whieh is sup lied to the dividing line between the two c ambers in such manner that it brid es over from the surrounding housing to t e rotate and this is .difiispaces, w ch are' particular means employed for ing hollow member. The fine dust presses against the rotating hollow member and fills every crevice in the coke or in the surface 5 of the member, whether small or large.

In the arrangement as shown, the suppl of fine dust is introduced at'a point of such elevation'that the dust'stands even above the line in which the coke scrapers are 10- were just previously filled with coke. In

this manner, the coke scrapersare protect- 5 ed against the high heat of the heating gases.

However, this location of the supply point for fine coke relative to the scrapers is not essential and the scrapers could be located above the point of coke supply.

The supply of fine coke or breeze is also continuously supplied to other surface portions of the hollow member between the distilling zone and the'heating zone, for instance, across the ends of the hollow member.

Another portion of'the coke breeze is employed in the form of a layer superposed on the coal to be treated and this layer of fine coke serves two purposes. It provides.

a fpath of fairly low resistance for the escape o gases of dlstillation toward the outlets therefor and it'prevents the coal when it reaches a plastic state from adhering to the means for retaining the coal on the outer periphery of the rotating hollow member. These several supplies of fine coke, serving for different purposes, finally mix with the coke produced by theappratus whereupon the coke breeze is separated from the. coke produced and is returned to the various,

points from which it is distributedto' the several parts of the hollow member to be used as a seal, as described above.

An elevating mechanism that is provided for the purpose of elevating the coke dust for'distribution to the several points from which it is supplied is particularly designed for use in connection with materials at fairly high temperatures. In general, the elevating mechanism comprises a series of overlapping wheels each of which has recesses in a circumferential-ring that are adapted to receive material in their lower ositions and to discharge the same in their upperositions to the wheel or other receiving device that is next in the series. The wheels are enclosed in a casing and the shafts, by means of which the wheels are supported, extend through the side walls of the casing and their bearings are outside whereby they are not subjected to the heat of the material su plied to the elevating mechanism.

Yteference may now be had to the accompanying drawings, in which v Figure 1 is a view in transverse vertical section, taken on line I-I of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a view, partially in elevation and partially in section, along the line 11-11 of Fig. 1; f

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a modification; and v Fig. 4 is an enlarged view in vertical section of a portion of the elevating mechanism of Fig. 3.

Referring particularl to Figs. 1 and 2,

the coking apparatus 0 my invention comor the material to be carbonized.

prises a horizontal cylindrical shell 1 of metal that is mounted for rotation about its horizontal axis and has associated therewith an endless flexible chain 2 that is movable with the shell 1 for a ortion of its circular path of movement. T e chain 2 is mounted upon suitable rollers 3, 4, 5 and 6. -A hous-= ing encloses'the lower portion of the hollow shell 1 that is associated with the chain 2 for the purpose of confining the gases of distillation in order that the latter may be collected through suitable outlet pipes 8.

The upper portion of the shell 1 extends into an enclosure 9 which may be of suitable refractory material that is adapted to be supplied with hot gasses. which may be, for

example, gases of combustion, through a flue or duct 10. The gases pass over the upper portion of the shell 1 and are then conducted through a flue 11 to a stack or other suitable means for disposing of them.

A hopper 13 which extends throughout the length of the rotating shell 1, supplies coal to be carbonized to the heated outer surface of the latter. An adjacent hop er 14 of similar extent supplies relatively e coke or coke breeze in a layer that is superposed on the layer of coal, aswill be more fully described. The fine coke is preferably preheated above the temperature above the condensing point of the volatile matter in the coal.

A hopper 15 that is substantially diametrically opposite to the hoppers 13 and 14 supplies coke breeze to the portion of the shell 1 that is between the heating zone and the coking zone in order to maintain separation between gases in their respective zones. Coke breeze from the same source also fills the spaces at the ends of the shell 1 between the latter and the end of the casing 7.

he shell 1 comprises a hollow cylindrical member 17 that is provided withcircumfenential metallic ribs 18 having relatively nar-' row spaces therebetween for the rece tion hese ribs 18 are shown in Fig.2. The outer member 17 is connected by a series of non-radial.

spokes 19 to an inner shell 20. The shell 20 is connected at its outer ends by means of disks 21 to a shaft 22. which constitutes a rotatable support for the entire structure of the rotatable shell 1. The structural details of the shell 1 constitute no part of the present invention, since they are the subect-matter of claims of the copendingv application referred to hereinabove.

An elevating mechanism 24 that is employed in connection with the coking apparatus comprises a series of overlapping wheels 25 that are mounted on horizontal shafts 26, the wheels 25 being-enclosed by 'a casing 27 through whichthe shafts extend.

The shafts 26 are provided with suitable bearings 28 (Fig. 3) that are outside the casing 27 whereby they will not be subjected to the relatively high temperatures that obtain within the interior of the casing by reason of the nature of the materials handled thereby.

Each of the wheels 25 is provided with an annular portion having inwardly opening inclined pockets or recesses 23 for receiving the coke breeze or other material to be handled thereby and which will be discharged from such pockets when they reach substantially the uppermost position of the coal.

. contact therewith will be distilled to low Inasmuch as the wheels overlap, the lower portion of an .upper wheel is below and in a position to receive the material from the uppermost position of the lower wheel, chutes or hoppers 29 being provided between the overlapping portions for guiding the material during the transfer from one wheel to another. 7

As is shown in Figs. land 2, the uppermost wheel in the series discharges its ma terial into a hopper 30 from which it is distributed, as will be later described. The re maining details of the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2 will be described-in connection with the operation of the latter in distilling or coking coal.

It may be assumed that hot-gases ofdesired temperature are circulated through the refractorycnclosure 9 by means of the flues 10 and 11. It may be assumed further that the heat storage portion of the shell 1 has been heated to such temperature that coal in temperature coke upon its passage through the coking zone, which is indicated by the portion of the flexible chain 2 that is adjacent to the shell 1. a

The shell 1 which, as viewed in Fig. 1, rotates in a clockwise'direction, is supplied with coal from a hopper 31 and which is distributed to the hopper 13 along the length of the shell 1 by means of a screw conveyor. 32. A relatively thin layer of coal is de-' posited by the hopper 13 along the surface of the wheel between the heated ribs 18.

Coke breeze from the hopper 30 is sup-- plied to horizontal screw conveyors 33 and 34, the latter being transverse to theaxis of the wheel 1 and which in turn supplies a similar conveyor 34a that distributes the coke breeze along the shell 1 for distribution by the hopper 14. The coke breeze is supplied in a relatively thin layer that is superposed on the'layer of coal and is adjacent to the chain 2. This layer of coke breeze prevents the coal from adhering to the chain 2 and also provides a relatively porous path outwardly for the gases of distillation. The coke is sufiiciently heated that distillates do not condense thereon. The latmay be applied by any usual or suitable means (not shown).

When the finished productand the layer of fine coke arrive at an elevation slight] above the roller 4, they are carried outward ly by the chain 2 and discharged on a screen 35. If, however, any of the coke fails to fall from the shell 1 by force of gravity, it is removed from the spaces between the ribs by means of a series of scrapers 36. a a

The scrapers 36, which are on the dividing line between the heating zone and the coking zone are supported by'a pipe 37, the scrap- I ceive a bar 38 which limits its upward move- I ment. The bars 38 are secured to a rotatable bar 39 having a handle 40 by means of which the bars 38 may be adjusted. The scrapers 36 are surrounded by abody of coke breeze that is supplied from the hopper 30 by means of the screw conveyor 33 and the hopper 15.

Inasmuch as the difference. in pressures between the heating zone and the distillation zone are maintained relatively small b suitable regulation, the relatively thick body of coke breeze adjacent to the scrapers 36 and which extends across the lower portion of the end surfaces of the shell 1v ofiers sufficient resistance to the passage of gases therethrough to prevent any material inter mingling of the gases.

The coke produced by the apparatus and the fine coke that has been supplied thereto are separated by the screen 35, the'larger.

lumps of coke passingdown an inclined portion of the casing 7 to coke-discharge wheels 41. The fine coke which passes through the screen 35 is carried by a horizontal screw conveyor 42 to the lower wheel 25 of the elevating mechanism 24, which operates connoted thatthe process of supplying coal and fine coke to the coking apparatus is continuous and that the products, including the gases of distillation and the resultant lowtemperature coke, may be continuously withdrawn from the apparatus. The coke breeze is recirculated for the purpose of preventing the adherence of the plastic coal. to the retaining device and for. providing a, seal apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2. This arrangement differs from that previously described, in that a stationary guide member 45 is substituted for the movable flexible chain. A heating zoneis provided by means of an enclosure 46 of refractory material that is supplied with an inlet opening 47 for hot gases and an outlet flue or duct 48.

Scrapers 49 adjacent to the lowermost portion of the shell 1 remove such coke as may adhere to the shell 1 and their supporting framework 50 is provided with a water seal 51 for the purpose of preventing the escape of gases through this portion of the structure. The stationary guide member 45 is provided with two openings communicating respectively, with passageways 52 and 53 that are connected to gas mains 54 and. 55.

Additional heating means that is effective during the coking operation comprises a refractory enclosure 56 for surrounding the guide member 45 and which is provided with an inlet opening 57 for hot gases. These hot gases traverse a path indicated by arrows and which path includes a duct 58 around the main and an outlet duct 59 which leads to a flue 60.

The operation of the modified form of my invention is similar in most respectsto that of the apparatus previously dscribed. Coal is supplied to an upper portion of the shell 1 by means of a hopper 62 that extends throughout the length of the shell 1. A hopper 63 supplies a layer of fine coke that is superposed on the layer of coal and that is adjacent to the stationary guide member 45. During the passage of the coal through the coking zone, gases of distillation are withdrawn through the gas mains 54 and 55, the layer of coke permitting the gases of distillation to traveling along the guide member 45. p

The hot gases supplied to the guide member 45 maybe regulated, as desired, to sup plement the heating of the shell in the heating zone. The relative degrees of suction applied to the mains 54 and 55 may be varied as desired to insure the withdrawal of substantially all of the gases of distillation without alsowithdrawing waste gases from the adjacent spaces to which the latter are supplied.

The mixture of low-temperature coke'and coke breeze is discharged at substantially the lowermost portion of the shell 1 upon a screen 64 for separating the coke breeze from the larger lumps of coke. The coke breeze which passes through the screen is carried by a horizontal conveyor 65 to an inclined screw conveyor 66 which empties into an elevator mechanism 67 which is identical in material respects with that of Figs. 1 and 2 but differs therefrom in cer-- tain details to be later described. The coke breeze at the top of the elevating mechanism is received by a hopper 68, from which it is .distributed to the hopper 63 by a screw conveyor 69.

While ordinarily the coke breeze being recirculated will retain a considerable portion of its heat, it may be desired to preheat or superheat it while passing through the elevator mechanism and for this purpose the casing 27 is provided with an inlet opening 70 for the admission of hot gases to its interior. If desired, the cokebreeze may be preheated while in the hopper 68 by means of hot gases entering through aduct 71 and passing out through a fiue 72 inthe top of the elevator casing.

Referring to Fig. 4, in which certain of the details of the elevator mechanism 67 are shown, the lowermost wheel 25 is provided with scoops or buckets 74 for the purpose of collecting any coke dust in the bottom of'the casing 27 as the result of spillage. I

The scoops 74 empty into the lower hopper 29 when at approximately their uppermost positions. The side walls of the casing 27 are provided with extensions 75 to provide space for the rotating buckets'74.

While I have described fine coke or coke dust as the preferred sealing means by rea-' son of its being available in connection with,

the manufacture of'coke, it willbe appre-- v ciated that other sealing means may be employed. For example, under certain con--' ditions where the local temperatures are sufiiciently, low or'where the coal is noncoking, coal dust may serve as the sealing medium without the coal becoming plastic'. Such coal may also beus'ed as preheated coal to be supplied to the'coking apparatus. "*11' 7 after serving as a sealing medium.

The arrangement for covering the layer of coal to be coked with a layer of'fine coke which layers are under considerable pressure by the belt 2 in Fig. 1 or the station= 12D Such ary guide 45, Fig. 3, insures that the coke produced will be firm and strong.

would not be the case if the coal were merely loosely held in the slots betu 'een the ribs.

The apparatus of my inventionoperates continuously and substantially automatically to produce low-temperature coke economically and at a rapid rate by reason of the thin layers of coal between members which quickly transfer heat to the coal. The gases of distillation are collected by suitable means and they are efiectually separated from waste gases to prevent loss or dilution. The foregoing and other advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The apparatusof my invention may be variously modified. For example, a combination may be made in which the coal and coke is retained in the spaces between the ribs for part of its travel by a chain or chains as shown in Fig. 1 and for another part of its travel by a heated retaining shield as shown in Fig. 3. The pressure which is exerted by the retaining chain, or by the retaining wall against the wheel, may be 'varied by various means, as for instance, the weight of the idler which rests in the lower loop of the chain. Also, the wheel may have ribs of diiferent types or it'may be smooth.

It is understood that the scope of my inthe claims.

I claim as my invention: a 1. The combination with two spaced movable members, one of said members being adapted to be heated to coke coal in contact therewith, and means for supplying a layer of coal to the heatable member and a layer of fine coke superposed on the layer of coal and in contact with the other member, of a source of heating gases for. heating said heatable member, means for discharging the resultant roduct of said heatable member and said ne coke from said heatable member, and means for supplying fine coke adjacent to said dischar in means and so as to constitute a seal by tie %ne coke bevention is not limited except as expressed in V absorbed thereby, sealing said device between the difi'erent portions-of its path of movement withfine carbonized material to FRANZ PUENING.

tween the heating gases and the gases of distillation of said coal.

2. The method of coking coal by means of a moving heat-storage device which com prises supplying coal to a portion of the surface of said device to be treated during a t gases for heating said device to co 'ng ath of movement, the coal and heating gases ing ap lied to. the same surface of the device, co the coal on the device by heat previously a sorbed thereby and supplying solid granular material infusible at the coking temperature for sealing said device between the difierent portions of its path of movement to preventinterchange of heating gases and gases of distillation.

3. The method of carbonizing coal or the like by means of a moving heat-storage device which comprises su plying coal to a portion of the surface 0 said device to be carbonized during a; portion of its ath of '00 movement, supplying hot gases for eating said device to carbonizing temperature during another portion of its path of movement, the coal and heating gases being a plied to the same surface of the device, co ing the coal on the device by heat previously portion of its path of movement, suppl ing temperature during another portion of its 

